It has all the ingredients for more misery and heartache and…ah, hold up a second. Screw that. It’s the cup. It’s a one off. It’s us and them.

There isn’t a single reason to not want this clash to play out with the usual blood and thunder – just less of the red cards and the capitulations.

Nervous? You can’t possibly not be – on either side – it’s the only fuel that can aid you getting through the experience. It’s one of those games where you wish you could transport yourself to the end of it as long as you have a guarantee of a win.

It’s a one off. It is unlikely either side will be weakened (aside from missing players due to injury – although with Arsenal wishing to retain their top spot in the league they might rest players via the bench).

It is also unlikely either side will take the game lightly. Maybe Tim Sherwood will surprise us with shock containment tactics and punish Arsenal on the counter. Who knows? As long as it doesn’t end 5-2 to them, right?

Emmanuel Adebayor will need to channel his aggression and avoid another mind melt. Will be interesting to see how focused he is on playing with conviction for Spurs rather than attempting to further solidify vendettas.

The midfield will need to be combative to ease pressure of possession, because we all know how zippy they are with the ball and allowing them time on it without pressing and hassling will only end in tears.

We can’t invite them to attack. We’ll have to protect the flanks. Our defending, for the most part, has hardly been cohesive thanks to the high line and the repair work implemented since its retirement.

We’ll be looking towards Christian Eriksen and the front two for more of the same relentless movement we’ve had since expression was released back into the wild.

Spurs have players returning to the squad (Jermain Defoe, Andros Townsend, Lewis Holtby) and six players still missing.
So it’s likely to be the same side fresh from the 2-1 United win. We can hardly rotate for the sake of it thanks to those missing players.

Also, this being the beginnings of Sherwood’s tenure, every game counts as a further step towards the recognition he’ll want for turning our fortunes (and style) around.

Occasions like this are also more about the psychology of the players.

Both sides are capable of fantastic football and frowning fragility. Will this game be yet another catalyst?

For us, for sure. If we win, it will cement more trust and faith with Sherwood and be used a spring board for momentum in the league.

Arsenal are clear favourites, we’re the underdogs. Our wobble and their form points to a home advantage.

Nothing to lose? There’s always one thing that is unbearable to lose. Pride.

It’s the hope that kills you and if it doesn’t it will come mighty close.